''Hip-hop celebrates those that want to make a killing, instead of those that can make a living. I like those guys, but they make me laugh sometimes because I don't get who they're here for, other than themselves.''
That's Chuck D discussing his smackdown of Jay-Z and Kanye West on "Catch The Throne" on their latest album, My Heroes STill Don't APpear On No Stamps.
It is hard to disagree with Chuck here, except for two things:
1. Freedom is the freedom to abdicate responsibility for society. For a powerful black man to REFUSE to participate is really quite important. The great American secret is that it is such a great society that it gives people the power not to pay attention.
and
2. Public Enemy are the Fall (the Manchester band) of Hip Hop. They do what they do and that;s all they do and to be honest, it is a little stagnant. It's not bad, but as far as music goes, they aren't in West's league. PE's newbie isn't Fear Of A Black Planet, it isn't a breathtaking masterpiece,instead it is about as original as the name. The rapping is good, but the raps are so damn obvious. It is nearly 15 years since their last masterpiece, "He Got Game" -now they are to Politics what Jay-Z is to pop… more if the same.